It marks Larkin's first All-Star Game since his rookie season in 2016. Since then, both Larkin and the Wings have come a long way.
"I think the mentality for myself is just to stay the course, to really just focus game in and game out what I can bring to the table for this team," Larkin said. "I feel as we've improved our roster, it's taken a lot of pressure off myself to feel like I have to try and be everything, I guess, and do everything."
Larkin is averaging more than a point per game this season with 44 points (23 goals, 21 assists) in 42 games. Since his NHL debut, Larkin owns the most multi-point games (70) among Red Wings players, including 13 this season.
And yet, at age 25 and in his second year as the captain of his hometown team, Larkin's game continues to evolve.
"Like everything in life, you learn. You learn on the fly, you learn as you go," Larkin said. "Kind of a role that you still have to be yourself.
"You still have to play the game, and I think what you do on the ice and the kind of person you are in the locker room is far more important than any pep talk, or anything you can do that is just for show. You have to really, truly be yourself and be there for the guys, and that's what I've tried to be."
Larkin will have another opportunity to show the speed he has become known for in the Fastest Skater competition. He also participated in the event in 2016 at just 19 years old, and won the contest by breaking Mike Gartner's 20-year record with a time of 13.172 seconds.
